24 May 2011

Technology harnessed to promote bible study

A University of Dundee student is hoping to bring people closer to God by using the latest technology to make the bible more accessible.

Blair Fraser (21), a final year Product Design student at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, part of the University, has been exploring how social media and digital technology can support and enhance faith-based communities. In the course of his research he came upon the idea of creating a bible study tool that searches for appropriate extracts of scripture upon request.

‘TextBase’ is activated when the user texts a keyword, such as ‘love’ to an online bible database. The device will then produce an extract based on the chosen phrase and print it out on a small piece of paper, along with recommendations of other pieces of scripture relevant to the keyword.

Measuring 15x24x23cm, TextBase is designed for home bible study, although it can be used in a variety of settings and adapted for use by followers of other faiths. It is one of the near-300 exhibits at this year’s Dundee Degree Show.

Blair, a member of the Gate Church International in Dundee’s Perth Road, said research showed that levels of bible-reading had fallen dramatically, even among Christians, and he hoped TextBase would create a new way of engaging with the word of God in a playful yet meaningful manner.

'The inspiration for my product came from being directly involved in a church community and having a passion for seeing more of God in peoples lives,' he said. 'My intention is designed to help Christians connect with the Bible on a more frequent basis and to help people to engage with scripture.

'It can also be used by non-Christians who are interested in finding out more about the bible and makes for a more interactive experience. If you aren’t familiar with the bible it can be difficult to engage with and, even if you are, sometimes it can be hard to find appropriate scripture. TextBase allows quick access to information and helps people refine their search.'

User testing showed that TextBase suits a number of environments, including larger spaces such as within a church community for multiple users, but also in smaller, more intimate spaces for personal use and prayer time.

Presently, the device exists in development form and connects to a pre-determined database providing a range of examples of scripture that can be accessed. After graduation, Blair would like to build a full bible database to enable him to develop TextBase further.

His plan to bring God and technology closer together has won worldwide acclaim, with pastors from as far afield as Peru and the US praising Blair for his innovative approach to promoting bible study.

'I wanted people from different cultures, who have different opinions and ways of worshipping to give me their feedback and it turned out to be overwhelmingly positive,' he continued.

'New technology should be welcomed as a way of re-connecting people with God and I think it can have a significant impact. I have not designed my product to replace the bible or the word of God in any way, but to complement people’s personal involvement with the bible and to encourage and provide a starting point in which to delve into the bible.

'TextBase is not specific to Christianity, but can be used as a platform for different databases, and could be used just as well for other faiths.'

Pastor Gordon Stewart from the Gate praised Blair's innovation saying, 'We encourage the use of technology and see ourselves as a very vibrant and contemporary church. It is refreshing to see a product that is instantly natural to use and provides a good starting point to reading scripture.'

For more information about Blair’s project and downloadable images visit http://blairfraser.co.uk/textbase.html.

Notes to editors:

Dundee Degree Show
21st - 29th May 2011 (Preview May 20th)

Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design
University of Dundee
13 Perth Road
Dundee DD1 4HT
T 01382 385330
E exhibitions@dundee.ac.uk
www.dundee.ac.uk/djcad/degreeshow

Exhibition open:
Saturday, May 21st (10am-4pm)
Sunday, May 22nd (10am-4pm)
Monday, May 23rd (10am-8pm)
Tuesday, May 24th (10am-8pm)
Wednesday, May 25th (10am-8pm)
Thursday, May 26th (10am-8pm)
Friday, May 27th (10am-8pm)
Saturday, May 28th (10am-4pm)
Sunday, May 29th (10am-4pm)

Graduate work on display:
Animation
Art, Philosophy, Contemporary Practices
Digital Interaction Design
Fine Art
Graphic Design
Illustration
Interior Environmental Design
Jewellery & Metal Design
Product Design
Textile Design
Time Based Art & Digital Film

For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk
MOBILE: 07854 953277